Partition mount

Abstract

In a spring-loaded curtain mount, the mount includes a pole interface at a proximal end, a compressive mechanism, and a head at a distal end. The pole interface is adapted to receive the end of a standard length adjustable pole or a painter's pole. The compression mechanism is disposed between the proximal end of the mount and the head. The mount includes a coupling device adapted to receive a portion of a curtain. During installation, the curtain mount is coupled to the end of an extension pole and the length of the pole is adjusted such that the combined length of the pole and mount is slightly longer than the distance between the floor and ceiling. At ground level, a portion of the curtain is attached to the head of the curtain mount. The curtain and mount are raised to the ceiling and the mount and pole are compressed between the floor and the ceiling. This compressive force operates to urge the head toward the ceiling, securing the mount in place.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A curtain mounting system comprising:
 a pole having first and second ends, the pole including a length-adjustment mechanism to adjust a distance between the first and second ends; a sheet of material; and 
 a coupling mechanism for installing the sheet of material at the second end of the pole, the coupling mechanism including a head that is coupled to the second end of the pole and a clip that is removably coupled to the head, the head having an upper engaging surface, at least one side surface and a lower surface, the upper engaging surface constructed and arranged to engage a portion of the sheet of material, the clip having a body and a plurality of legs, the body having a lower engaging surface that interfaces with the upper engaging surface of the head, the plurality of legs extending transverse to the body, each leg extending about at least one side surface of the head and including a tab that interfaces with the lower surface of the head to secure the clip to the head so that the sheet of material can be secured therebetween. 
 
     
     
       2. The curtain mounting system of  claim 1  further comprising a compression mechanism between the first and second ends of the pole. 
     
     
       3. The curtain mounting system of  claim 2  wherein the compression mechanism comprises a spring. 
     
     
       4. The curtain mounting system of  claim 1  wherein the legs are elastically deformable and snap about the at least one side surface of the head. 
     
     
       5. The curtain mounting system of  claim 1  wherein the legs and tabs are configured such that the clip is slidable relative to the head. 
     
     
       6. The curtain mounting system of  claim 1  wherein the body and head are rectangular in shape. 
     
     
       7. The curtain mounting system of  claim 1  further comprising high friction material at an upper surface of the clip body. 
     
     
       8. The curtain mounting system of  claim 1  further comprising a threaded interface between the pole and coupling mechanism. 
     
     
       9. The curtain mounting system of  claim 1  further comprising a universal joint between the pole and the head. 
     
     
       10. A curtain mounting system comprising:
 a pole having first and second ends, the pole including a length-adjustment mechanism to adjust a distance between the first and second ends; a curtain and 
 a coupling mechanism at the second end of the pole, the coupling mechanism including a head that is coupled to the second end of the pole and a clip that is removably coupled to the head, the head and the clip having opposed mating surfaces between which a portion of the curtain is secured when the clip is coupled to the head, one of the opposed mating surfaces of the clip and the head constructed and arranged to extend about a portion of a body of the other of the clip and head to secure the portion of the curtain between the clip and head. 
 
     
     
       11. The curtain mounting system of  claim 10  wherein the one of the opposed mating surfaces of the clip and the head includes legs that are constructed and arranged to extend about the portion of the body of the other of the clip and head. 
     
     
       12. The curtain mounting system of  claim 10  further comprising a compression mechanism between the first and second ends of the pole. 
     
     
       13. The curtain mounting system of  claim 12  wherein the compression mechanism comprises a spring. 
     
     
       14. The curtain mounting system of  claim 10  wherein the clip and head snap together when coupled. 
     
     
       15. The curtain mounting system of  claim 10  wherein the clip and head are configured such that the clip is slidable relative to the head. 
     
     
       16. The curtain mounting system of  claim 10  wherein the clip includes a pad of high friction material at an upper surface thereof to prevent slipping when engaging a room surface. 
     
     
       17. The curtain mounting system of  claim 10  further comprising a threaded interface between the pole and the coupling mechanism. 
     
     
       18. The curtain mounting system of  claim 10  further comprising a universal joint between the pole and the head.